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Sandwell care worker admits attempted murder of colleagues after slipping bleach into drinks

A care home worker and former special police constable who attempted to kill colleagues by spiking their drinks with bleach committed a 'heinous' crime, investigating police said today.

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Melissa Swift has admitted three counts of attempted murder and two of making threats to kill – one against her own sister – when appearing before Birmingham Crown Court this morning.

The 23-year-old had added bleach to drinks stored in a fridge at Goldfield Court care home in West Bromwich where she worked.

Three of her colleagues then drank the liquids and fell ill with food poisoning-type symptoms in July last year.

The women sought medical treatment and recovered from their symptoms after a few days.

In total 32 people were affected by the poisoning – 25 residents and seven staff members – according to police.

They were taken ill with vomiting and other symptoms over a period of time with one victim suffering stroke-like symptoms.

Swift, of Hambletts Road, West Bromwich, had also made anonymous 'nasty and very intimidating' threats to her sister Lulla in several letters.

Police said the motives behind Swift's actions remained unclear but Detective Chief Inspector Michaela Kerr, from West Midlands Police's Public Protection Unit said she had 'deceived' colleagues with her plans born out of malice.

Speaking outside court she said: "This was particularly heinous and concerning offending with vulnerable people within a care home setting.

"We don't know what the motive was."

She added: "The substance used was a bleach-type substance which was administered in drinking vessels within the care home.

"The attempted murder charges related to the members of staff working alongside Swift.

She added: "We are talking about really vulnerable people, these are elderly people living in supported care environment.

"They were put through a series of interactions with the police. We had to obtain exhibits from them and samples.

"The care home and staff just were simply phenomenal supporting and working with police to make sure that we were able to get the best possible evidence so that we are here today having secured those guilty pleas."

Speaking of the threats to her sister Lulla, DCI Kerr said: "There was several letters sent to Lulla Swift in particular that contained a series of threatening references and were particularly nasty and very intimidating for Lulla to have received and at that point Lulla had no idea who was sending those letters to her."

The defendant, who had been previously based at Sandwell Police as a volunteer officer, was subsequently charged with three counts of attempted murder, two counts of administering poison, two counts of threats to kill, theft of a drug and possession of a controlled drug.

As a result, police seized over 400 items - which were either sent to be tested at force laboratories or destroyed.

A Housing & Care 21 spokesperson said: "Melissa Swift's actions in August were shocking and alarming.

"Our priority has been to offer support to our staff and residents at Goldfield Court. It is a testament to the staff and residents that disruption to life at the Court was kept to a minimum. We're very proud of the way our staff responded and prioritised the service to people living there. The residents themselves have also been very helpful and co-operative throughout the Police investigation.

"We would like to thank West Midlands Police and the many other agencies for their sensitivity and professionalism throughout this incident."

Swift will return to court on April 17 when she will be sentenced.

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